An Evolutionary Advantage

Whether or not you believe in the evolution of the human body, it appears that some of our earlier pre-human relatives (now, I didn't say our ancestors) had skeletons perfectly designed for walking and running.

I got into a program on NPR, of course not at the beginning so I could recount for you all the names and titles, about the evolutionary advantage of our species' ability to walk and run.  From the standpoint of our skeletons AND certain parts of our brains, we are better designed than many other creatures for long distance walking and running, as well as sprinting when necessary.  You know, the fight or flight response.

Some of the testing discussed had to do with the release of  adrenaline in response to some environmental trigger - say a coiled snake or a growling panther.  The adrenaline response coupled with the skeletal design clearly indicate (to the speakers) that the human body is meant to walk or run away from trouble or toward someone in need of help.  Both of those events - needing to flee or needing to offer help - produce the same adrenaline rush and require the same skeletal response.  You know - your house is on fire.  You run away from it if you're alone, but if you're down the street and your kid is in the house, you run toward it.  We've all done something similar.

I was particularly interested in the part about the research into endurance walking and running.  There are few species with feet who are as uniquely equipped as are humans to explore on foot.  Many animals migrate on a regular basis.  A few animals will explore their immediate neighborhood for a home or food.  But, humans will walk a long way - like from Asia across a land bridge to the North American continent in search of food, shelter, AND, well, adventure.

Adventure is a uniquely human trait.  Curiosity is not limited to humans - just watch a dog or cat with a new box.  But continuing to walk up the mountain JUST to see what's on the other side of the hill IS a human thing.  And, for the vast majority of our time on this planet (however we got here), we've done that exploration, that seeking, that curiosity on foot.  Later, in boats and on the backs of horses, camels, or elephants, we continued the pursuit of curiosity.  But, walking continues to be one of our favorite ways to discover things.  You can't ride a car up Mount Everest.  People still trek down into the Grand Canyon on foot.  The Appalachian Trail remains a great draw for hikers.  New Zealand has walking paths over its entire topography (I'm told).  Getting there by foot continues to be a favored means of human exploration.  Not only is it free (well, except for the cost of shoes) and convenient (we have the means of conveyance at the bottom of our legs), it's great fun to see things (nature, art exhibits, parades) up close - a closeness we can attain only on foot.  Go there!


*************************** Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.

Is It Work?

 Is it work for you to get yourself walking?  Sometimes, it is for me - and I'm a dedicated, daily walker!  There are just days when getting moving is more difficult than others.

One variable I have discovered is the weather.  If it's a beautiful, sunny, low humidity day, I am encouraged to get outside.  I want to get moving, to enjoy the perfection of nature - especially in the Spring when everything is green and budding out.  Rain, grayness, and ice are downers. Having to drive to the mall is not my favorite thing to do, but it keeps me moving, so I go.  Having to ride the stationary bike or walk in place are have-tos rather than want-tos.  But, they keep me moving.

This week, the weather has been so inviting that I've walked twice some days!  Today, I waked a total of more than 5 miles.  I walked 3 at the mall with a friend this morning (her preference is the mall) then this evening, since my dance class was cancelled, I walked outside with another friend for more than 2 more miles.  The park was beautiful, the weather was wonderful with a light breeze and low humidity, and the timing was good - after dinner. 

I know this weather can't last  - more rain is predicted.  But, if I could freeze a 'perfect walking day' in time, this would be the one!


*************************** Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.

Setting Goals

Can you take a 2000 mile road trip without a map or a GPS?  Well, maybe.  Yes, if you have no final destination in mind.  No, if you have to be at a specific destination within a certain time frame. Yes, if you're just cruising around, sightseeing, with no other obligations or responsibilities.  No, if you have goals.

Now we see the benefit of having a map or GPS.  Even if you have no final destination in mind, no time frame you must adhere to, and no other obligations, you might get really lost, run out of gas and money, or run into all kinds of conditions that could be harmful.  Better to have a map or GPS, right?

So, think of setting goals as opening your map or programming your GPS.  You have a destination - better health, serenity, a happier state of being, fitness, etc - and with goals, you have a map or GPS, tools you would use on any road trip.  Each road trip is a journey.  Each journey ultimately has a destination.  Take the first step.  Then take another...... 


*************************** Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.

Yes, It's Happening!

 I recently blogged about a new rule in my life.  You can see that article here. 
 Ten days after publishing that article, I am here to report that, except for one lapse on Mother's Day, I have made that change in my life.  It actually feels normal.  Last night, my daughter wanted me to make her a Frosty.  She asked me at 9 PM as I was eating dinner after returning home from dance. I bravely told her that I would not be making one as it would be after 10 PM and I don't eat after 10.  I kinda surprised myself.

I have also recently written about my dancing, and how we build our learning of steps for each dance until we have mastered, and hopefully memorized, the steps.  Last night, that lesson was brought home to me in style.  It was revealed to me that not only did I know every dance in the two hours of class, I could also call off most of them, thus leading others who have yet to master the dances.  I also was able to single out some who were struggling, move closer on the floor to them, and add some extra verbal help and encouragement.  I guess you can't take the teacher out of me!

The lesson her, if there is one, is that small changes add up to larger successes.  If it had not been for those macaroons from Westwood Country Club that my son's girlfriend brought me on Mother's Day, I would have a 100% success rate in this short term sampling.  But, I feel confident about it.  Just keep me away from the cookies.



*************************** Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.

Boosting Brain Power

Dateline:  NYTimes, April 16, 2013
Correspondent:  Gretchen Reynolds

Guess what!  Walking improves brain function.  Ahem...I think I've written about this before.  But, once again, I can quote a reliable, scientific source to bolster my opinion.  The research is in.  My hypothesis is affirmed.  Here are the specifics.

In tests with human females and rats of all genders, testing aerobic exercise (walking), weight training (fun with rats they say), and resistance training, walking wins, pretty much feet down.  Hands up!  Resistance training may add to the benefit - so lift your arms and use one of those elastic band thingies you can find at every corner Walgreen/CVS/Sams/Costco.  Weight training won't hurt your memory, but seems to have no benefit for it.

What this article didn't tell you?  Walking is more fun than resistance training or weight lifting.  Since I'm not a lover of the gym, walking is much easier for me to incorporate into my daily routine than either of the others - although there's not much excuse for ignoring resistance training.  I'm going to get some more of those bands and begin to incorporate some resistance training into my walks.  I have finally found a way to make a great thing better!




*************************** Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.

New Rules

This is not a blog about dieting or weight loss.  It's not a blog about eating plans or the size of one's waist line.  It's about moving one's body and getting to feel better because when we move we feel better.  Plain and simple.

However, the time has come.  I've gained 10 pounds and I gotta get it off.  This despite my daily walking of three miles, my dancing twice a week, and the other physical work I do.  But, no matter how much one moves, if one eats too much, the weight is going to come on.

So, I have some new rules for myself.  My one true weakness is eating late at night.  I get along well during the day, not overeating and getting things done.  But, late at night when I'm still busy with reading, writing, or crocheting, I begin to graze.  So, my new rule for myself is no eating after 10:00 PM.  Ten sounds late to a lot of folks, but we eat supper late and I'm often not home from dance or other activities until 9 or later. 

So, I'll see how this goes.  If I give it two weeks and make no progress, I'll reevaluate and get a new plan.  In the meantime, I will continue my walking and dancing, maybe adding a few extra minutes to my exercise routine to kick start the process.

Update:  I have been successful at this for the past 2 nights.  I'm using my 12 Step work to help me with this.  Please post in the Comment Section if you have any positive information, success storeies, etc.  Thanks!


*************************** Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.

If You Can Do It In A Dorm Room....

You can do 'it' anywhere.  It = walking/exercising.  No excuses!!

Check out this video on youtube. It's a free to watch, 30 minute workout that is based mostly on plain old walking steps.  Since it's called a Dorm Room Workout, it may be a bit aggressive for some of us - like me.  I've had two knee replacements so things like lunges, squats, and jumping jacks are off limits.

But this video, and others you'll find on youtube or can buy for yourself, are mainly for inspiration - a bit of enticement to get us moving.  Hey!  Dance like no one is watching - because they really aren't interested in you anyway.  Most people are far too wrapped up in their own worlds to give a flip about what you think might look ridiculous in a work out.

So, I brazen and I'll dance right on Main Street despite have an enormous lack of grace and talent!  I have no stage fright, no jitters, no fear of embarrassment in such a situation.  But, I know that my attitude is not the norm.  But, it's okay if you are a bit self conscious, a bit intimidated by those sleek twenty-somethings at the gym.  Don't go to the gym!  Stay in your own TV room and work out.

When the moves in the video get too aggressive, just march on through those parts to keep your heart rate up.  Do the parts you can do and walk on through the other parts.  No one can do everything!  So, do what you can - and before long you'll discover that you can do more than you could last week.

Feeling good is free.  You just have to sweat for it!


*************************** Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.